Cornyn and Cruz introduce new gun bill

U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn for Texas introduced a bill into Congress that would allow for individuals with concealed carry permits to exercise their privilege in other states, while still abiding by the state’s individual laws, according to a release from the Texas State Rifle Association.

The bill, named the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, would not allow the circumvention of specific state laws. Rather, it is geared to act as protection for those with concealed carry permits who may travel across other states, according to the release.

“The rights protected in the Second Amendment are foundational to a free society and the preservation of individual liberty,” Cruz stated in the release.

The bill is cosponsored by 29 other congress members, all of which are Republicans.

Specifically, the release states the bill is designed to expand and protect certain gun rights for individuals, while still respecting the laws of other states. It goes on to list what the law would and would not permit. This does not act as a national standard for concealed carry and would aim to treat state-issued concealed carry permits like a drivers license, the release states.

The bill has only been introduced at this point and is still working through being passed by the chambers, which means it is currently in the early stages of the process.

For more information on the bill, contact Cornyn at his West Texas office at 806-472-7533. Cruz can be reached at his North Texas office at 214-599-8749.